Despite studying languages at school and deciding to continue French and Spanish to
degree level at UCL, I feel that I have learnt more about language learning during the last twelve months
than any other time of my life. I have just spent six months studying in Lyon, France, and sixth months
studying in Granada, Spain, and I wish to share some of what I have learnt during my time away, which I will
try to hold onto for my future language studies:
1) Studying abroad can be extremely daunting and stressful, especially before it begins and you have to
find accommodation, fill out tonnes of forms, sort out visas, bank accounts and foreign phones etc. One
of the most important things to remember is to stay calm no matter what and always ask for help if you
are unsure about anything: It’s amazing how helpful people can be when they are asked. So, ask anyone
you know who has been to the destination previously, read blogs online, research the best bank accounts
and phone companies, join Facebook groups and chat to people going and do as much as you can to find out
as much as you can before you go, and keep organised.
2) Commit to the language: Speak as much as possible, make mistakes and learn from them, always ask
questions, don’t be scared to be wrong. I think this is one of the most important things to remember
when going abroad. To really progress in the language it involves a gradual process requiring a lot of
commitment: Try to speak only in the target language, ask questions to shopkeepers, teachers, anyone you
can find – interacting is key and can end up being really fun and rewarding. Write to-do lists in the
language, read the news and magazines, listen to podcasts, go to the cinema and speak as much as
possible: You will inevitably make mistakes (and language learning is probably one of the toughest
mistake-making exercises out there), however you have to make mistakes to progress, and the more
mistakes you make, the more you learn, and the quicker you progress. So don’t be afraid, step out of
your comfort zone, have fun and commit yourself to the language.
3) Take responsibility for vocabulary and grammar learning: There will never be a good time to sit
down and learn vocabulary and go over grammar rules (yes it’s know to be quite boring), but it is
fundamental to progression and it’s so much more rewarding when you realise you can remember words
further down the line and the grammar pieces fit together. Therefore, every single day, try and make
sure that you keep learning vocabulary and if you have any grammar queries, make sure you ask sooner
rather than later (either ask people or useful languages websites online – trying several different ways
can often clarify the query more). The most important thing to remember is that language learning
is an ongoing, never ending process: even the majority of English speakers have to look up the meaning
of English words every now and then, so always make an effort to learn vocabulary and find exciting ways
to remember words and grammar (perhaps with a group of friends, colour coding, images, and word by
association). Ultimately the only person who can learn and remember the words is you, so responsibility
is essential to progression, and you can never know enough about a language.
4) Learn about the culture, which is just as important to the language. Imagine learning English without
knowing who Shakespeare is, who the Beatles are, or that we have a monarchy? Language is very much
linked to culture and the more you know about a culture the more aspects of the language make sense and
the more enjoyable it becomes, especially when travelling to a destination which you know more about.
Knowledge of literary figures, history, politics, key issues and debates in the culture can
unequivocally enhance language learning and travel.
5) Finding language exchange partners can be extremely rewarding and helpful. In Lyon and Granada I went
to several language exchange evenings and I found exchange partners on websites which are fantastic ways
to not only improve your language speaking skills, but also make new friends who are native to the
cultures you wish to learn about. Normally most people also wish to improve speaking English so it can
be very rewarding helping others to improve their English and also to learn what difficulties and common
questions foreigners have when learning the English language. As well as improving speaking in the
foreign language, you can also ask direct questions about the culture, music, books and events which you
may otherwise never have known about. By chance, one of my exchange partners from Lyon has come to
London this year to study so we can now meet up in London and continue to help each other improve.
In conclusion, although language learning can be hard work and it takes an enormous about of endless
commitment to the language and culture, I believe it is one of the most worthwhile things to do with
your time on earth. Learning another language automatically opens a door for communication and
connection with thousands of new people, and it provides the opportunity for a deeper experience when
travelling abroad. It is like a long hard climb up a mountain: the views just keep getting better and
better the more you commit and the harder you work. So I urge anyone thinking of learning a language to
throw away any negativity and doubt, and start (or keep going!) now.
Learning languages Abroad was written by a Tavistock Tutor
Additional resources:
Language Learning
Techniques
The
Oxford Interview for History and Modern Languages
Why Study Languages at
University
